How to Make Cell Models With Hair Gel

Cell models can be created out of ordinary materials.

When you are teaching children about biology and human anatomy, it is important to delve deeper into life science by providing the students with lessons and activities related to microscopic biology, such as cells. Cells are the tiny building blocks of the human body, and contain small organelles that cannot be seen unless you are using a powerful microscope. One way to show these cell parts to your students is to have them make a cell model out of an ordinary material, such as hair gel.

Things You'll Need

• Hair gel
• Wax paper
• Jelly roll tray
• Small beads
• Yarn
• Sequins
• Freezer

Instructions

1. Place a sheet of waxed paper onto a jelly roll tray.

2. Squeeze a 2-inch dollop of hair gel onto the waxed paper. This will represent the cell's cytoplasm.

3. Place a small bead into the center of the cell. This will be the nucleus of the cell.

4. Place a few small pieces of yarn onto the cytoplasm. These will be the golgi bodies of the cell.

5. Place a large sequin onto the cytoplasm. This will be the cell's vacuole.

6. Place the jelly roll tray into a freezer, and allow it to remain there for at least one hour.

7. Remove the tray from the freezer, and peel off the cell model. When you hold it up to the light, you will be able to see the inside of the cell that is not visible to the naked eye.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Animal Cell Parts